Great ice cream, very friendly and informed staff. Overall good experience, not a lot of decor though.

LOCATION: Heritage Plaza on Culver PARKING: Lots WHAT WE ORDERED: * Split scoop of Phoenix Oolong & Gyukuro Green Tea * Full scoop of Hokkaido Came here on a Saturday night and waited about 30 minutes, with 4-5 parties ahead of us. I've read other Yelpers mention the long wait, and honestly, I couldn't believe it could be that long... until I experienced it myself. Part of the reason for the wait is that the owner takes the time to explain each flavor in detail -- the flavor profile, where it comes from, what makes it special, etc. He was super friendly, personable, and genuinely engaging, so I can definitely see how that contributes to the longer wait times. It's not exactly a grab-and-go gelato experience. They have a great mix of traditional and more unique flavors. There were so many I wanted to try that it was hard to narrow it down, but I only sampled a few since there was already a line outside. My sister and I shared a split scoop, while my boyfriend got a full scoop. The tea flavors were the standout for me! They really hit the spot when I was craving milk tea. The flavors tasted almost exactly like the actual drink, just in gelato form. I also tried the Hokkaido, which was very sweet, milky, and caramel-y. A little too sweet for my personal taste, but still really good as a sample. Everything else I sampled was delicious too. Honestly, you really can't go wrong with any of the flavors. I'll definitely be back for more once the wait dies down a little. The line might look intimidating, but don't let it discourage you from giving this place a try! read more

Went here last night, and I waited over an hour for gelato.. At first, I was thinking that it was because there was only one person (the owner) serving gelato by himself and because he was being too engaging with the customers. I quickly realized once I was inside, it was more the customers than the server. It's almost like they don't realize there's a huge queue behind them all waiting for their turn. The owner was very friendly and reciprocating with his engagement, but he wasn't dragging the interactions on like I initially assumed. Plus he looked pretty drained. Out of consideration, have an idea of what you want before you get to the front. I committed to Lychee and Pistachio di Bronte as my two flavors from the get-go and then asked to try the Piemonte Hazelnut, Black Sesame, and Dark Chocolate as my samples. Everything was good, but Lychee was a standout to me. I'm sure when more employees are added and operations are figured out more, things will be a bit smoother. Great flavors and textures. I'll definitely come back when the wait dies down a bit. read more

Such a cute new gelato spot! The owner was super nice and welcoming and let us try all the flavors before deciding. Everything we tried was so good, but the pistachio was BOMB! definitely my favorite. The shop itself is really nice, clean, and cute. Such a great addition to the area. We'll definitely be back! read more

We wait about an an hour and a half to two hours on a Thursday night. We were able to sample all of the flavors and they were all so delicious! The vibes were great inside the shop as well. The gelato felt more like a creamy ice cream than gelato which made me enjoy it even more read more

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Came here the other night because it's been so cold. Glad that something here is finally open. They are having a soft opening so you can try a taste of all their flavors. Many people were sampling every single flavor which is what is causing the huge line out the door. But the staff are kind and patient and explain the different flavors. My only concern is the amount of spoons they have been throwing away per person for each sample. I ordered the green tea and Hokkaido gelato and it was creamy, smooth and had the perfect flavor. Can't wait to come back and try other flavors. The cup looks small but they allow you to get two different flavors and it's a lot more than you think. Will definitely come back. read more

Papi's Gelateria - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

They have soft opening hours and went on a Thursday evening. The flavors are INSANE!! They were super excited to share the details about all the flavors. We learned the matcha was over extracted to bring out the boldness since the dairy can mute the flavor. We sampled all of them and they were genuinely so excited to let us try! My favorite duo flavors would be the lychee + gyokuro green tea or strawberry+matcha. Ken from Desouro brought over the Phoenix Oolong...let me tell you that stuff slaps The ingredients were sourced intentionally to produce deep rich flavors, I honestly had a hard time deciding. I was blown away and the decor was simple and cozy. I'm glad we got to try this place before it pops off because the lines are going to be long esp in this heat! read more

Papi's Gelateria - Lychee and Green Tea - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

This review is long overdue! We decided to stop by after eating at Mitsuwa, and I'm so glad we did. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, who was incredibly gracious, friendly, and informative. He shared the vision behind Papi and the meaning behind the concept, which made the experience feel even more special. He was so kind and let us try so many different flavors while explaining the process and thought behind each one. This is definitely not just any gelato shop. Every flavor had so much depth and complexity--it wasn't simply creamy or sweet. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, thoughtfully made, and unique. We'll definitely be back! read more

What a great addition to Heritage plaza! Got to take a couple families there with kids, and it was a 5/5 all the way. Innovative flavors, and they let us test some that they are workshopping for future release. All excellent! read more

Papi's Gelateria - Loving the new spot - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

The best gelato in Orange County! There's so much intention behind each flavor and how it's made to deliver the best quality, taste, texture and consistency. I coincidentally got to meet the owner Ken and you can tell he has so much passion for what he does. I experienced the best customer service where he's very patient in answering all my questions and encouraged sampling as many flavors as I was curious in trying! There's a flavor for everyone ranging from matcha, teas, fruits, black sesame, pistachio and more! All made with great quality to deliver the truest taste to each flavor. read more

Papi's Gelateria - Black Sesame, Papi's x Desouro Phoenix Oolong, Shizuoka Matcha - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

Well, I really want to gatekeeper and NOT write this post so that I don't have to wait in a line--but this business needs to supported. The owner is so incredibly friendly, well mannered, high energy...this is what old Irvine used to be like: building community, relationships and good business practices. There's such a personal touch here, and what amazing chemistry to nail these Asian inspired flavors spot on. Gotta rave for a second on the black sesame; usually most places can't get the combo correctly, or it's just too mild but it's so aromatic, fresh and worth my dairy-free intolerant stomach to get a bit queasy for. They've just been open for a few days, but probably the best gelato I've had in my life. With inflation these days, and dairy intolerance...I'm really careful who I'm willing to raise my blood sugar for. So appreciate the owner's kindness to let us have samples--this is what builds the customer loyalty for life. I wish we all had the energy, charisma, and the high vibes he had. read more

Papi's Gelateria - Black Sesame and Pistachio - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

We ate dinner nearby so that we could have gelato for dessert. There was a line, but we didn't mind waiting and listened as Ken and Mimi introduced the gelatos to each customer and handed out samples. Mimi was telling the customers in front of us that a combination of fresh strawberries and dried strawberries are used as there can't be too much moisture for the gelato not to crystallize and stay creamy. The pistachio di Brontë is picked from the hills in Brontë Italy once a year. Ken thinks it's important for his customers to know where their food comes from and the care taken in getting quality ingredients. The Piemonte hazelnuts used are considered the Wagyu of hazelnuts. I had brought back the whole family. Younger daughter sampled the lychee and chose to combine it with the strawberry gelato for a fruity mix. The gelatos are lactose free and so may be enjoyed by those who are milk intolerant without the stomachs acting up. Older daughter sampled the Hokkaido and went with that and the Piemonte hazelnut. If anybody has a coconut allergy, there are no concerns here. Coconut is not an ingredient in any of the gelatos. I knew that I wanted the pistachio di Brontë with dark chocolate. Ken offered me a sample as he is still making changes to the recipe and working on the texture so it may have tasted different. I knew that the flavors would be great based on my last visit and passed the sampling. They start with 70% chocolate for the dark chocolate. I enjoyed learning more about the gelatos and the other customers were enjoying their samplings allowing the gelatos to slowly melt on the tongue so that the aroma and full flavor could be appreciated. Ken and Mimi give you their full attention and it is a memorable and meaningful encounter. The pistachio everyone in the family felt is one fancy nut. The pistachio flavor is intense and very uniquely sweet. The Hokkaido tasted like a caramel candy. The gelatos were all creamy and rich. We can't wait to come back again. The girls said that they would have to tell their coworkers to come and try out the Gelateria. The girls were still interested in trying the Shizuoka matcha and roasted black sesame. read more

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Really nice gelato. Everything is fresh and made out of real ingredients. I recommend the strawberry one The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, they let me try all the flavors my first time. Will definitely be my go to gelato spot! read more

Papi's Gelateria - Dark chocolate and strawberry & strawberry and green tea - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

No other gelato shop in California compares to this. The flavors are unique and they use quality products. The texture, aroma and the notes of the ingredients were all a treat. This is an overall experience & vibe! The staff here really makes sure you get the perfect order- there is something for all type of palettes read more

Papi's Gelateria - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

All the flavors we tried were so amazing. I got the lychee and black sesame. The serving size is perfect and it was priced really well, just below $8 for each cup! They don't even skimp on the ice cream!! Talking with the owner and knowing the effort it took to bring the best out of each flavor is also a very nice experience. Ambience is super chill and romantic!! read more

Papi's Gelateria - Owner+inside - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

Wow! All their flavors are so good. Not too sweet and lactose-free! My favorite was strawberry, sesame, pistachio, and chocolate (in that order). Would definitely go back to try other flavors. read more

We came here for ice cream, but there was a long line that barely moved. We waited for about 30 minutes and eventually gave up and left. The person working there was having very long conversations with each customer, which made the service extremely slow. We were really looking forward to trying the ice cream, but unfortunately, the wait and lack of efficiency made it a frustrating experience. read more

The owner is too kind and took time to ask questions about our preferences. The flavors were so unique and so concentrated. Nothing artificial here! I ended up trying Hokkaido, matcha, green tea, lychee, and black sesame. The lychee is the best flavored lychee flavored food item I've ever had. I can't wait to come back. read more

The ambience and service at Papi's is truly like no other. Ken is amazing, offering samples, and detailed explanations of each flavor. The flavor depth of the gelato itself makes the trip worth it, and the prices are not outrageous. There is a little wait considering Ken likes to take his time with each customer, and makes sure they know exactly what they're looking for. I would 100% recommend coming out to try the gelato. read more

Papi's Gelateria - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

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Got there at 9p and there were about 7 couples in front of us, it took an hour to get to our turn but was worth the wait! The owner was serving and didn't make you feel rushed at all. He explained the flavors and let you try any you wanted. Even with a line behind us he still made us feel like we were the only customers, not rushed at all. Customer service was excellent! The flavors were all unique and delicious, I tried almost all the flavors and there wasn't one I didn't like! I ended up going with pistachio and hakkado, my friend got black sesame and hakkado. It was about $7 a cup with 1 or 2 flavors. I'd 100% recommend trying! read more

Papi's Gelateria - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

My current favorite ice cream shop! The owner was so welcoming and excited to let us try the flavors before we ordered. You can tell he's put a lot of care and love into each flavor and he's genuinely proud of them. Green tea flavor is definitely my favorite as a jasmine tea lover. Lychee, Oolong are also great. Will go again to try different flavors. The line moved slowly but it was worth the wait. read more

Papi's Gelateria - Menu - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

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Best new gelato place!! Rich and unique flavors, and they let us try every single one. Cozy inside too. We'll be back read more

Papi's Gelateria - Dark chocolate, pistachio do Bronte, Hokkaido, and roasted black sesame - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

This place had fantastic gelato with delicious flavors and variety. Each cup is $7.45 for two flavors max, and the price is very fair for the quality. Their portions are generous, and each flavor has been really thought out. The best black sesame, lychee, and pistachio gelato I've ever tasted, oh my gosh. Since it's just opened, you may also get to meet Ken, the incredibly kind owner, who will tell you the backstory and origins of each flavor. Wonderful little place, and I'll definitely be back! read more

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Amazing and unique gelato. I have ever had anything like this in the US. The owner was super helpful in explaining the process on how everything is made and in guiding us on which one to order. We tried Hakkaido which was so different and light. The lychee was unlike anything I have ever tried because of the texture being so perfect. The matcha was not too bitter and not too sweet, truly better than some places I have had in Kyoto and Tokyo. The Dark Chocolate was lighter than other places and a good mix. My wife and her friend loved the black sesame too. The Ulong looked amazing, I will definitely try that next time. The vibe was cool too, very modern and intimate. read more

Papi's Gelateria - Lychee, Matcha, Dark Chocolate, Hakkaido - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

This place is good. Flavors seem to be very Japanese and authentic. Delicious gelato. Seems like a hidden shop inside it's so small lol

This is easily the best new gelato spot in town. Friendly staff, great quality and you can tell they put real thought and effort into sourcing their ingredients. read more

The new gelato place in heritage plaza is unique and awesome . Ken the owner patiently lets you try all the flavors before deciding what you would like to order. Super friendly service and amazing yummy gelato ! And can't wait to go again :) read more

i'm not even exaggerating but this is genuinely hands down the best gelato in oc. the owner walks you through each flavor you want to try and explains about the notes of the flavor/where he sources his ingredients; thus, this is the exact reason why the line is so long but it is so worth it. (if you're really gonna complain abt the wait and give a low star rating, maybe it's best to go somewhere else for gelato bc this place is more about the experience of trying the flavor lols) i've never met someone who is passionate and wholesome about gelato! each flavor is so yummy & made with so much thought. my top fav is lychee and it's good to pair it with a fragrant flavor like matcha/tea... will come back cuz i need to try the whole menu ^-^ read more

Papi's Gelateria - lychee + gyokuro green tea, lychee + shizuoka matcha - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

New gelato shop that took over the old Orobae space. They are soft open with opening thursday to saturday 6pm to 10pm. The quality stands out with must try flavors like phoenix oolong, matcha, black sesame, lychee and my favorite hokkaido. Sample a few, flavors and pick 2 as they do half/half flavors per cup. This place is gonna be a zoo soon. read more

my friend and i were looking for a dessert spot near us and found really good reviews so we wanted to try! we waited in line for about 10 minutes before we were able to order. when we got to the counter the owner, ken, was so knowledgable and passionate about each flavor. he let us try everything we wanted to try and recommended flavors he loved to pair as well. definitely recommend! read more

Papi's Gelateria - left: strawberry & green tea right: lychee & hokkaido - Gelato Near Me - Irvine, California

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Very good gelato with unique flavor. I got the tea flavored gelato (the green and the oolong) and my husband got the pistachio and chocolate. All are excellent. I love..love..love that Irvine has an additional small artisan dessert shop that is made by owner who is passionate about his trade. read more

I visited Papi's last week and was greeted with great service and hospitality. There were a lot of unique and subtle flavors so I just wanted to try them all!!Luckily part of the experience is getting the opportunity to try everything before you buy, and I didn't feel rushed at all whilst trying all the flavors. read more

It was so delicious! The Hokkaido is for sure top 3, Hokkaido and strawberry goes very well together. Ken allowed me to taste test every flavor which was so kind and it was just a great experience and great service overall. read more

Amazing experience from top to bottom including decor, ambience, hospitality, and flavor! Ken took time to go over the flavors with each customer and it felt like you were in at a winery for a tasting. In addition, design of the store was clean and minimalist. Best part was the flavor, each gelato had great aroma and taste, and lots of unique asian flavors as well. I particularly enjoyed the black sesame flavor. Overall one of the best if not the best ice creams I have had, would definitely recommend to anyone! read more

The gelato was thick, creamy, and delicious and did not have an overwhelmingly sweet taste. The service was excellent and friendly. The ambiance was minimalistic, which gave it an interesting vibe. Would definitely come back read more